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ORLANDO, Fla. - Former Stetson star
Jonathan Mendoza has signed to play professional soccer with nearby Orlando
City. Mendoza has been a member of Orlando's
Under 23 team for the past five years, and was the team's captain in 2012.

"I'm
a big believer in guys who come in each and every day with an incredible amount
of effort," Orlando City head coach Adrian Heath said. "They stick out like a
sore thumb. Every day they bring bags of enthusiasm and want to do well. They
try every day to convince the coaching staff why they need to be starting, and
that's what Jonny does.

"He
has an infectious sense of humor and personality, and brings his best to every
single training session," Heath continued on about Mendoza. "I will always give
people like him an opportunity. He's got a football brain and understands the
system."

One
of the most decorated players in Stetson history, Mendoza was a three-time
First Team All-Atlantic Sun Conference selection, the 2011 A-Sun Player of Year,
and a NSCAA Third Team All-America selection as a junior. In 2009, he helped lead the Hatters to an
A-Sun Championship and a trip to the NCAA Tournament.

Orlando
City plays in the USL Professional Division, and won the regular season title
the past two seasons. With a great fan
following, Orlando City recently played an exhibition against legendary Italian
club A.S. Roma, which Mendoza was given the opportunity to compete in.